The Dark Side of Gaming: Professor Douglas Gentile on Depression and Addiction

Often unfairly lambasted and singled out by mainstream media, gaming has seen its fair share of unwarranted attacks, generally backed up by poor research and bias intentions. So when news outlet CNN published an article claiming that gaming led to depression and bad grades, we were rather dubious. To see whether there was any credence to the article, PlayStation LifeStyle interviewed Professor Douglas Gentile, lead author on the study in question.

[BigWoopMagazine]

"That is, although children who are depressed may retreat into gaming, the gaming increases the depression, and vice versa. Longer longitudinal studies are needed to test this." (from his study)

Damn, I'd be a pretty sick and twisted person by now if this happened. I like that he says he thinks it's an impulse-control disorder, rather than an addiction. I think that's closer to the truth, if anything.

[NJShadow]

I know people who are going to argue against this, but that's because they've never gotten to the point where games where their only means of happiness, only to realize how empty life can be when that's ALL you're doing.

I'm a gamer, I love games, it's a retreat, one that actually lifts my spirits. But I know, just a most others should, that constant gaming, or too much gaming to the point where one ignores other parts of their life, can indeed be pretty depressing. Interesting study.

[decimalator]

If all I had in my life was an Xbox, I know I would be depressed.

[awiseman]

Why am I not suprised to see a ps3fanboy in here already.

[Dragon_Hiko]

Truth be told, anything that is pleasurable in anyway carries the risk of mental addiction. And there is not too many damn things at all that are good in excess...even drinking too much water will kill you.

[doctorstrange]

Play games more than I drink water, which is pretty worrying, haha

[Lifewish]

I think that games can def. hurt if you spend far too much time on it..

[doctorstrange]

Especially games that require a constant online presence.

[decimalator]

For that matter, ANYTHING can have a negative effect if there is no moderation. Water is generally thought to be "good for you", but it can kill you if you drink too much at once.

[Sev]

I am totally addicted to gadgets. Too much can kill my wallet.

[doctorstrange]

Yeah, my wallet is definitely the worst off out of all of it

[Kon]

Im perfectly fine

[decimalator]

That just makes me sad.

It would be interesting to see the longer duration studies that he alluded to being needed. It's easy to draw conclusions from a small snapshot of a child's life, but you need more context to get a real picture of what is going on. I know I have had "phases" that lasted for several years.

[NJShadow]

Yeah, true. To be honest, gaming a hugely POSITIVE impact on my early years. If I hadn't discovered a little blue guy by the name of Sonic, I may not be as fit as I am today due to my love for running. Albeit, it may have made me a more hyper kid. =P

[Teddybee]

Wouldnt be so tough

[doctorstrange]

gaming calluses ftw

[LunaticBrandon]

So that means everyone on N4G is a ghost?

[mrv321]

Not depressed
Not addicted

[gcolley]

so what

[MarioWarfare]

Video game addiction is definitely not good for the social skills and studies of children.

[T3mpr1x]

Anything can be addictive. It's more about your own personality and situation in life that dictates if you get addicted to something. Kids tend to want to do things that are the most fun, which is often play videogames. It's up to the parents to teach discipline and moderation.

[-Gespenst-]

Yeah anything can be addictive and damaging. You know you're obsessed when that thing you enjoy begins to feel slightly empty and less fulfilling; perhaps even marginally unpleasant. It happens when you play too many video games for sure.

I think balance and moderation are absolutely key in life. It's the only way to keep things feeling fresh.

That said, I'd hypothesize that videogames increase depression either because of decreased social activity, or because of subconscious absorption of ethics in games that can't be reconciled with those of reality. So by the latter point I mean to say that you have great freedom in videogames, but when you turn back to reality you find on a subconscious level that it's not like that at all. You retreat further and further into videogames to escape, getting more and more depressed because you're clashing with reality and then eventually you need help. I think with moderation, you learn to accept these differences without depression; whilst playing games more and more obsessively only makes it worse; sort of like a finger trap. So I'd say it's something to do with all of the above and other things I've overlooked.

[gcolley]

what you are saying is video games are better than real life just like drugs. it is a form of escapism in the same matter, but not a permanent substitute. Your points are very valid.

on a side note... for parents, i think video games can be treated as a reward for children and in fact (personally) later on in life. when you neglect things you need to do just to play video games you are effectively not achieving anything at all. used as a reward system, their power can be used for good.

[DingDangDoo]

Addictive distraction from life itself, Lack Of Vitamin D, No Social Skills, Falling Deeper and Deeper into depression ???

You are not alone, Join MLG today !!

[doctorstrange]

MLG!

[CreativeWriter]

"Bias" is a noun. "Biased" is the adjective. The error is in the first sentence of the article. Just some friendly advice from the grammar police if the author is checking out the comments.

[gcolley]

the grammar police, as with any police, are not welcome here

[EliteDave93]

I game alot but im not addicted or depressed.

[ATiElite]

everything in life can be "considered addictive" but only "IF you CHOOSE to do it too much". Addiction is not a disease or a disorder, it's a choice plain and simple. Simply choose not to do it and you will get over it. I was addicted to McDonalds (you know they sprinkle crack on the Fries) but I choose not to eat there anymore and I got over it. plain and simple.

Video games making you Depressed, BULLSHIT!! I suffer from depression and believe me if it wasn't for the enjoyment of video games I would have killed myself long time ago. Video games are fun and great entertainment by yourself or with friends.

In Some Asian countries were kids are pressured to be geniuses before they are 12 I can see them just being kids and enjoying video games, slacking off in school and then being yelled at by their over jealous parents, this may make them depressed therefore they retreat to video games even more.

Some of these people and their STUPID health studies are ridiculous. They know other factors are making these kids depressed but pawning it off on Video games makes the story SEXY!!

[gcolley]

unless you are 12. then it is a case of more more more.

society is making everyone depressed, not just kids. video games are a form of escapism that don't amount to the real thing unfortunately so could possibly make things worse once they turn the game off. look at those idiots that got depressed after they saw avatar, because real life wasnt as good. i probably shouldn't use nutters to prove a point though.

find me a depressed kid who is still depressed when gaming. i think the problem is when they are not. so i think you are right, video games are not the cause but are also not such a great longterm remedy. our bullshit money hungry, image obsessed society is the cause. oh and the media, i always have to blame the media